Seouls Scenic Spots

1. Seoul Tower- The tower is located on top of Mt. Namsan. The observation decks and restaurants of Seoul Tower offer spectacular views of the city, both day and night. On a clear day you can even see as far as N. Korea. The hours of Seoul Tower are from 11am to 10pm. Admission is 7,000 won. Since the tower is on top of a mountain you can decide to hike up a path or take a cable car to the top. The price for a round trip ticket on the cable car is 7,500 won and a one way ticket is 6,000 won.

2. Rear Garden of Changdeokgung Palace- A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rear Garden is breathtaking any season of the year. It contains the Korean traditional garden design. The garden design integrates the buildings with its natural surroundings, adapting to the topography and retaining tree cover. The palace is closed on Mondays and admission is only 3,000 won. If you are interested in a tour of the palace a general tour is 5,000 won.

3. 63 Building- For a short period of time 63 Building was the tallest building in asia. The building is located in Yeouido. Yeouido is referred to as the “Manhatten of Korea”. Yeouido is also where most of Koreas broadcasting stations are such as KBS and MBC. The 63 Building is open from 10am til midnight. There is also an observation deck, aquarium, IMAX theater inside the 63 Building. You can enjoy the whole package for 22,000 won.

4. Lotte World- Is Koreas number 1 department store. This mall offers high-quality merchandise and convenient shopping. Lotte mall is almost considered a small city it is so big. Inside what they call Lotte World is an amusement park, fold museum, sports center, shopping center, and hotel. Everything in Lotte world is indoor including the amusement park, and an ice skating rink.

HandsKorea

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HandS Korea

Korea, Seoul, Kang Nam-GuYeoksam-dong, 822-7Mok Haw Bilat 1012 135-080

Tel: 82.2.6083.7791

http://www.handskorea.com/index_e.php

http://www.hskipnida.blogspot.com/

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Ice Fishing Festival

Hello future / current teachers of Korea.

Here is some information on ice fishing here in Korea.

There is a ice fishing festival which starts on Jan. * through the 30th of Jan. You can catch wild trout (sancheoneo) in a providence called Gangwon. The festival staff have already cut out holes through the ice, but its up to you to catch the fish. The price is 12,000 won for adults and 8,000 won for children. There are also ice sculptures for you to enjoy while your taking a break from ice fishing. The ice fishing festival is held in five towns located in Hwacheon-gun. To get to Hwacheon, take a bus to Chuncheon and transfer on the Hwacheon bus. When you arrive just follow the crowd to the festival site. Below are some pictures of the ice fishing festival.

We hope that you enjoy your stay here in Korea. And we will send out more emails with things to do while in Korea. Enjoy your freetime here in Korea.

HandsKorea Team

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HandS Korea

Korea, Seoul, Kang Nam-GuYeoksam-dong, 822-7 Mok Haw Bilat 1012

135-080

Tel: 82.2.6083.7791

http://www.handskorea.com/index_e.php

http://www.hskipnida.blogspot.com/

Facebook: "Hands Korea" or "HSK"

Lee Soon Shin Museum information

Hello to everyone that is here in Korea now.

This is HSK and we would like to give you some information on a tourist site in Seoul. If you would like to learn about the history of the Great Admiral Lee Soon Shin a.k.a. Invincible Lee Soon Shin you should visit this museum dedicated to him. The admission is free when I went Nov. of 2010. You can find the entrance of the museum at the base of the statue. There are interactive games and videos for you to watch. You can also choose the option to hear the videos in English.

Lee Soon-shin is admired as a Korean hero for saving the country from the brink of collapse during the Japanese invasions of the Imjin War (1592-1598). Lee, who invented the ironclad warship known as the geobukseon, or turtle ship, defeated the Japanese at sea when Toyotomi Hideyoshi's troops invaded Joseon. He was unique among Joseon civil and military officers for his honesty and incorruptibility, and continues to be respected for his leadership, tactics, loyalty and courage. Of Admiral Lee's 23 sea battles, the most crucial were the Battle of Hansan and the Battle of Myeongnyang. In the former, which is considered one of the greatest naval engagements in history, Lee used his famous "Crane Wing" formation to sink or capture most of the Japanese ships he was fighting. The Battle of Myeongnyang, in which he defeated 130 enemy ships with only 13 of his own, is regarded among maritime historians as nothing less than a miracle.

In 1598, at the age of 54, he was killed in action in his final battle at Noryang, at the end of the Imjin War. He was posthumously titled Chungmugong, or Duke of Loyalty and Art of Chivalry. Lee is one of many historical figures admired by Koreans.

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HandS Korea

Korea, Seoul, Kang Nam-GuYeoksam-dong, 822-7, Mok Haw Bilat 1012

135-080

Tel: 82.2.6083.7791

http://www.handskorea.com/index_e.php

http://www.hskipnida.blogspot.com/

Facebook: "Hands Korea" or "HSK"

Korean Sauna Information

Hello to everyone here in Korea now.

This is HSK and we would like to give you some information on the Korean style spa. In Korea, the Jjimjilbang-Korean Spa is a place where one can not only enjoy the spa, shower, and sauna but also sleep overnight at an affordable price. They are a popular getaway for Korean families, couples, and friends. You can enter various heated rooms each designed with a particular theme. These are great places to sweat and relax.In a Jjimjilbang-Korean Spa, you will also find many recreational facilities such as a snack bar, fitness club, PC bang. One can have a fun time in a Jjimjilbang-Korean Spa at any time. Open 24 hours a day, Jjimjilbang-Korean Spa have already become well known among foreign travelers as a clean and affordable place to stay overnight and relax after an intense day of sightseeing.



Enter a jjimjilbang
Jjimjilbang usually operate 24 hours a day. A nighttime premium applies after 8pm, so expect to pay 2,000 won or 3,000 won more than during the day.

Get a locker key
You will walk through the doors titled “men” or “women” and store your shoes using a given key. Once inside, you will have your shoe locker key exchanged with another locker key to store your clothes and belongings.

Take a shower and change clothes
Walk into the gender-segregated bathhouse area and take a shower. Then, put on the jjimjilbang clothes (usually a T-shirt and shorts) that you received with your locker key.

Meet friends
Once dressed for the jjimjilbang, you can go out to the unisex area and find your friends. You can go in one of the saunas, watch TV, or just relax in a rest area where you will also find pillows and blankets for a nap.

Visit jjimjilbang rooms
In a jjimjilbang, you will find many rooms with a varying themes including: a jewelry room, a salt room, and a series of rooms with different temperatures ranging from 60 to 100 degrees Celsius. There is even an ice room. Be sure to check the temperature sign outside before entering.

Have a snack
In the cafeteria, you will find cold beverages such as ice green tea, ice coffee, or ice sikhye (a traditional, sweet Korean drink with floating rice), snacks, or simple meals.

Enjoy other facilities
You can sleep in the sleeping room or read in the book corner. Also available for free is a fitness room and movie room. For a fee, you can use the noraebang (a singing room), massage shop, nail care shop, and sitz bath.

Jagal Jjimjilbang (Pebble Room)
You can lie down or sit on a mat covering heated pebbles. This helps discharge body wastes, reduce muscle pain, and enhance blood circulation.

Hwangto Bulgama (Yellow Earth Room)
Far infrared rays discharged from yellow earth that is heated to a temperature of over 60 degrees Celsius is said to be beneficial for relieving fatigue. So if you are stressed out or feel tired, this is the room to go to.

Chamsut Naengbang (Charcoal Cold Room)
Unlike the heat of other rooms, the coolness of the charcoal room is particularly good for stabilizing the mind, relieving stress, and fighting fatigue.

I hope that you enjoy your stay here in Korea.

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HandS Korea

Korea, Seoul, Kang Nam-GuYeoksam-dong, 822-7Mok Haw Bilat 1012

135-080

Tel: 82.2.6083.7791

http://www.handskorea.com/index_e.php

http://www.hskipnida.blogspot.com/

Facebook: "Hands Korea" or "HSK"